Should we liberalise 2 GHz TDD?

During previous (and on-going) spectrum auctions around Europe, operators secured varying assignments in the bands 1900- 1920 and 2010-2025 MHz. The bands are intended to be used for the current third generation (3G) Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), based on time-division duplex (TDD) technology. However, uptake has been poor, largely because operators on adjacent frequencies are likely to experience interference problems unless power limits are adapted or mitigation techniques deployed. At a time when operators are clamouring for more, this is clearly an inefficient use of spectrum.

The European Commission is therefore investigating the benefits that might arise, if the 2 GHz bands are liberalised to permit the use of new (non-UMTS) technologies (e.g. 4G mobile broadband technologies such as TD-LTE). In conjunction with the application of technical constraints (specified in CEPT Report 39) this would allow UMTS and non-UMTS technologies to co-exist on adjacent frequencies.

Helios has been contracted by the Commission to support their regulatory impact analysis of any policy changes in the licensing and use of these bands. As part of this work we have approached 90 or so operators with licences in the bands in Europe, as well as equipment manufacturers, to identify options for future use. In addition to the survey, a cost benefit analysis is being carried out to identify which of the options will result in the greatest potential socio-economic benefit considering both operators and consumers.

Helios project manager Adam Parkinson says: “Finding a solution that can enable the bands to be used for new services in demand is of high importance; for example additional capacity for connections or more innovative services such as live video or 3G (or 4G) hotspots. It can only help address the capacity crunch that operators are beginning to face.”

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